Wednesday, March 24, 2010

After the hammering by Australia its time for some changes in the NZ Test Cricket Team. Great to hear that Williamson has finally been included in the squad. Here's what I would do:

Watling - has shown enough to be given time
McIntosh - has grit and determination
Sinclair - he's been tried before but he's the form #3 - Ingram lacks the footwork against quality quicks
Taylor - play your best batsmen at #4
Guptill - potential to be truly world class
Vettori - worked OK
McCullum - a patient century - really a breakthrough innings
Williamson - select him as a bowler who can bat - hard yards on Patel, but it gives the side better balance (you could swap him for Vettori in batting places if you think Vettori would manage the tail better)
Southee - worth persevering with
Arnel - a solid test debut
Martin - who else is there with experience?

Now imagine Ryder in there at 4 or 5 for Sinclair (drop the other 2 down a place) and you've got a very well-balanced side with 3 specialist medium pacers, 2 spinners and a useful part time seamer. Why wouldn't you put that side out in any test regardless of the conditions?